Tagged: kody walker

Arkansas fullback/linebacker Kiero Small will undergo surgery for a foot injury. Coach John L. Smith confirmed the injury in a statement and said there is no timetable for Small’s return. Smith said the injury occurred in a “non-contact” portion of Wednesday’s practice.

Here are defensive end Chris Smith, cornerback Tevin Mitchel, linebacker Matt Marshall and running back Kody Walker offering their take on Shai's "If I Ever Fall In Love Again" at the Arkansas Razorback Football Kickoff Luncheon. Defensive tackle Alfred Davis picked the group to perform when he was asked by emcee Jimmy Dykes who among his teammates would be most likely to win "American Idol."

Last Thursday night, ArkansasSports360.com columnist Jim Harris visited in-depth with Arkansas recruiting coordinator Tim Horton about the Razorbacks' most recently signed recruiting class. Horton discussed his overall feelings about the class, the saga recruiting highly touted receiver Dorial Green-Beckham for four years and some of the redshirts from last year's class.

Take Joe Adams out of the equation in those first 26 minutes of Arkansas' game with New Mexico and there's no telling how Saturday might have turned out, had the Razorbacks plodded along at the same pace on offense while allowing the Lobos to move the football the way they did for a quarter and a half. That all changed in the final 3:56 of the first half as Arkansas quickened the pace, found running room through the middle, and a 17-3 game became 31-3 by halftime and 52-3 at the finish.

No question the Razorbacks were once again the superior team. They put up big numbers on offense (632 yards and 34 first downs), dazzled again on special teams (Marquel Wade kickoff return for touchdown) and did enough defensively to put the Lobos away. There is work to be done before that Sept. 24 date with Alabama, but the Razorbacks proved they’re talented enough to have little trouble with lesser teams even on a night they aren’t perfect.

Arkansas netted 102 rushing yards. The Razorbacks running backs averaged a modest 4.5 yards per carry. Are the totals worth noting, especially when considering the Razorback have two inexperienced tackles and no Knile Davis? Sure. But these numbers are not an outright guarantee that doom, gloom and the Liberty Bowl await.

WHAT WE LEARNED: Hard to take away much from a game like this, but Arkansas is to be commended for doing what had to be done. There was little suspense to this game, and the Razorbacks dominated in every phase. It appears at least 10 freshmen will contribute something for Arkansas this year. That’s the number that played against Missouri State and some like Kody Walker, Marquel Wade and defensive end Trey Flowers had memorable debuts. Arkansas wasn’t perfect, but didn’t miss it by much.

Without getting too giddy about a 44-point win over a weak Football Championship Subdivision program, Arkansas' fans still will have a hard time pointing out too many glaring problems with the Razorbacks' performance at Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday night. Coaches, on the other hand, will have a film study that will be more revealing. But the 51-7 final score, a 44-point margin over Missouri State, is probably where UA players, fans and coaches alike saw this one going. Bobby Petrino wasn't going to put some ridiculous, attention-grabbing score up on the undermanned neighbors from Springfield, Mo., so, the Hogs hit that first marker.

Kody Walker knew what he was getting when signing with Arkansas last February. He was OK with coming into the program, working behind and learning from a stable of talented, experienced backs for at least a season. Walker’s expectations for playing time seem to be evolving. Broderick Green (knee) and Knile Davis (ankle) are each out for the season, possibly pushing up the timetable on Walker making contributions.

Quarterback Tyler Wilson seems to be getting more comfortable with the Arkansas offense. He threw for 245 yards and four touchdowns in Thursday’s scrimmage and was incomplete on only four of his 20 attempts. Wilson missed only two passes in 11-on-11 work in the previous day’s practice. He attributed his sharp passing to having eight practices under his belt and getting his legs underneath him in proper position on throws.